Contact Management Systems play an important role in CRM software choices as they provide sales professionals with a way to keep track of vital information.

Deciding on a contact management tool can be a daunting task for today's purchasing managers and decision makers looking for a good sense of how the solution will be used in their organization.

To ensure a successful implementation is made, it is vital that companies understand the different platform choices and which solutions best match their company's needs and user's preferences.

The first type of solution, client-based contact management software, is offered via users desktop and works quickly since it doesn’t rely on network connections or remote servers. The solution is easy to use and more secure because data is stored locally. Also, these offerings usually merge with desktop applications like Outlook and other communications software.

Next, browser-based contact management systems offer on-the-go sales professionals with a solution that can be accessed from various locations like client offices and hotel business centers, and offers protection from hardware failures, since data lives on a central server.

For users looking to leverage the benefits offered by both these solutions, a blended mobile and desktop contact management system is the best choice. These offerings make it possible to have the same speed as a desktop system and includes remotely hosted data so sales professionals can access the solution when needed.

A recent VendorGuru.com white paper, "Contact Management Software: Spotting the Differences," outlines the benefits offered by each of these platforms and lists a number of vendors offering solutions.

For a more in-depth look at contact management software solutions and specific case study examples, check out the white paper HERE.